West Australian tourist Roger Hussey falls to death while parasailing in Phuket, Thailand

News Corp, AAPThe West Australian

Thursday, 13 July 2017 5:49AM

Perth tourist dies in Phuket

The West Australian

VideoRoger Hussey fell to his death while parasailing.

A prominent Perth businessman holidaying in Thailand has fallen to his death while parasailing in waters off the resort island of Phuket, with his wife reportedly filming the fatal fall.

Thai media reports Roger John Hussey, 71, plunged more than 30 metres into the sea after his harness apparently failed shortly after lifting off from the Kata Beach, 860 kilometres south from Bangkok, on Wednesday.

The video, posted on Facebook and reportedly filmed by his wife Budsabong Thongsangka, shows Mr Hussey on shore smiling as he is strapped into safety gear.

Camera IconRoger John Hussey smiled at his wife while his instructor tightened his harness.Picture: 7 News

Mr Hussey, deputy chairman of WA land agency Landgate, and another man, who is not wearing a harness, are then pulled by boat, their parachute lifting them into the air above the water.

About 13 seconds into the flight Hussey is seen falling from the air into the sea.

Beachgoers rushed to help the Australian, who was reportedly having difficulty breathing after he was pulled from the sea. He died a short time later, Karon Police Station duty officer Police Lieutenant Suwisit Khirirak told local media.

The latest tragedy follows a jetski accident in February when 20-year-old Australian woman Emily Collie died. Her boyfriend Thomas Keating later pleaded guilty to reckless driving causing death.

Perth businessman Roger Hussey fell to his death.

The West Australian

VideoPerth businessman Roger Hussey fell to his death.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade data lists Thailand as one of the most dangerous destination for Australian visitors. Over 320 Australians were injured or died in Thailand in 2016, ahead of the Philippines and Indonesia.

Landgate said those who had worked closely with Mr Hussey were deeply saddened by the news.

“We offer our sympathies to his extended family and friends,” it said in a statement.

“Roger was an intelligent and energetic contributor to Landgate’s board and to Western Australia’s business community. He served the West Australian community in many ways — as a businessman, board member and advocate for a variety of community causes.